Niagara Falls, New York – Two women from Niagara Falls have pleaded guilty in connection with a violent assault on a female manager at a Tim Hortons restaurant on Pine Avenue and Hyde Park Boulevard. Brittny Robinson, 37, and Brionna Harris, 30, entered a plea agreement with Niagara County prosecutors, admitting to attempted second-degree burglary. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 7 years in prison, but the judge indicated a cap of two years behind bars.
Originally facing second-degree gang assault charges, the women were identified through a cell phone video capturing the attack on the 42-year-old manager in May 2023. The incident, where the women entered a restricted area to assault the manager, led to their arrests by Falls Police Criminal Investigation Division detectives.
Niagara County District Attorney mentioned that the evidence in the case supported the burglary charge as the strongest option available. The security cameras inside the restaurant also provided additional video footage of the incident. The attack resulted from an altercation, where the manager had asked a group of disruptive juveniles to leave the establishment.
The 13-year-old girl involved in the assault was also charged with second-degree gang assault but her case’s resolution remains undisclosed due to New York’s Raise the Age Law. The violent attack left the manager hospitalized and seriously injured, with ongoing recovery described as “healing” from the injuries sustained.
Superintendent John Faso commended the detectives’ work, emphasizing the crucial role of the cell phone video in identifying and charging the assailants. A white SUV pulling into the parking lot triggered the incident, with the driver and several other individuals entering the restaurant to engage in the assault on the manager. The escalating situation culminated in physical violence, with the assailants repeatedly punching the victim.
The plea agreement reached with the prosecution could potentially lead to a sentence of probation for Robinson and Harris, alongside the set maximum prison term. Despite the gravity of the charges, the outcome reflects the cooperation between the defendants and the legal authorities. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of surveillance and accountability in cases of violence and criminal behavior.